Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Next Level: Patchwork Oxford

Mark McNairy has called himself an "un-designer" before and his patchwork oxford shirts speak to this notion of reinterpreting classic Anglo-American styles. It's no secret Mark is my favorite designer and one of the reasons why lies in his uncanny ability to un-design the hell out of everything. Anyone can design or produce an oxford shirt, in fact you can probably do it in the comfort of your own home, but it takes a certain vision to take things next level. And that my friends is really what this post is all about...something seriously next level. 'Nuf said.

I guess I dont understand your McNairy fetish, but I do NOT dig these pieces. Oxford shirts should be an afterthought not the focus of an ensemble as will surely result from wearing one of these hideous things.

Here's the problem for me with these shirts. Maybe 5-10 years from now someone will be looking back at a picture of themselves in one of these things and wonder what the hell they were thinking when they bought it. OCBDs stand the test of time for a reason. Changing the cut and fit to suit the times is a necessary and welcome adjustment but these are a bastardization of a classic. They're like preppy Cross Colours.

Patrick- You're correct about discourse. It is encouraged and not taken for granted by myself in the least.

Time ultimately will be the true judge of all things and this case is no exception. These are not classic and understated in the sense of how I usually throw the words around, but I still really dig them.

Brooks Brothers has done them before and I know Black Fleece did one last year and it was even on sale for a while, but seems to be gone now. I'm still mad at myself for not pulling the trigger when I had the chance. Polo has done them before, too and I have heard of people finding those on ebay, in thrift stores, and at places like Marshall's.